functional morphology
- Cranial kinesis in the miniaturised lizard Ablepharus kitaibelii (Squamata: Scincidae)
Summary: Investigation of cranial kinesis in the miniaturised lizard Ablepharus kitaibelii provides the first experimental evidence for mesokinesis in a member of the Scincidae.
- Hydrodynamic function of dorsal fins in spiny dogfish and bamboo sharks during steady swimming
Summary: The function of dorsal fins varies among shark species, and these fins can act in either a stabilizing or thrust-generating role.
- Mechanical properties of sediment determine burrowing success and influence distribution of two lugworm species
Summary: Field-based measurements link distribution of two ecosystem engineer lugworm species with the mechanical properties of the sediment, their differential burrowing success and morphological features.
- The evolution of jaw protrusion mechanics is tightly coupled to bentho-pelagic divergence in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)
Summary: Evolutionary analyses of both form and function in damselfishes demonstrate tight linkage between jaw protrusion ability and the repeated convergence on predominantly benthic or predominantly pelagic feeding niches.
- Lubricating the swordfish head
Highlighted Article: A newly discovered organ in the swordfish head, consisting of an oil-producing gland connected to capillaries with oil-excreting pores in the skin, may reduce streamwise friction drag and increase swimming efficiency.
- Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)
Highlighted Article: Flea beetles use a resilin-based structure as an elastic energy store for the catapult jumping mechanism.
- Functional morphology and kinematics of terrestrial feeding in the largescale foureyes (Anableps anableps)
Highlighted Article: The largescale foureyes grasps food from the terrestrial ground using a modified version of the picking mechanism of protruding jaw motion described previously for other cyprinodontiform fishes.
- Burrowing by small polychaetes – mechanics, behavior and muscle structure of Capitella sp.
Summary: Even very small polychaetes can extend burrows through muds by fracture; helical muscles may enable worms to apply larger radial forces, facilitating burrow extension by fracture.
- Feeding in billfishes: inferring the role of the rostrum from a biomechanical standpoint
Summary: Biomechanical differences derived from rostrum morphology and composition lead to species-specific feeding behavior in billfishes.